Michigan City native Abby May has been involved with a number of organizations in La Porte County over the years, one of which includes being the program director of Safe Harbor Virtual Enrichment, a before and after school service for students of Michigan City Area Schools.
Safe Harbor allows the kids to be involved in a variety of activities that open them to new experiences and foster individual growth. According to May, seeing the students progress through the program is what she enjoys most. She shared how Safe Harbor creates many opportunities for students to shine both now and later in life.
“It's the best part of my job,” May said. “I love that Safe Harbor gives me an opportunity to create and facilitate programs that connect students with opportunity and creativity. We talk a lot about what kids are going to do when they grow up and that is important, but it's also important to support what they're doing right now.”
Safe Harbor offers many different projects for the students to engage in. These include the My Michigan City, Indiana Program and a spring break camp. Both of these activities allow students to meet business owners to learn entrepreneurial skills and see firsthand all the opportunities they available to them in Michigan City.
Safe Harbor also allows students to be a part of the Michigan City Robotics Program. They begin the program in elementary school and work their way up, and once they reach their freshman year, they can be a part of the high school team called RoboBlitz. May shared how this program is the perfect opportunity for students who are interested in the fields of robotics, engineering, or coding, or even kids who simply love a good competition.
“It's a perfect way for them to be a part of a team, build those skills, and compete throughout the state. They learn gracious professionalism and they develop entrepreneurial skills within that program as well,” May said.
A few years back, May noticed the schools needed some 3D printers. Instead of spending all the money to buy new ones, she had a more creative idea for the robotics team. May decided to provide a space where students were taught how to build the printers from scratch, which is a skill that would have a major impact down the road.
Since the kids were building the printers, they eventually had more than what was originally needed. However, the plethora of printers became the opposite of a problem when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Since everyone was home during this time, May said the team decided to take advantage of this opportunity and deliver printers to those on the team. Then, they got to work, 3D printing personal protective equipment (PPE) for the surrounding hospitals and nursing homes.
“We were able to make thousands of face shields for healthcare workers, and that's a perfect example of the way Safe Harbor nurtures an interest of a child and then shows them how their interests and their skills that they've built can make a real world impact,” May said.
In addition to working with Safe Harbor, May is also a part of Michigan City Mainstreet Association. She started volunteering at the committee level in 2015 and worked her way up to her position today as the board’s secretary.
The association puts on a variety of events throughout the year, some of which include the Shelf Ice Brew Fest, a summer art walk series, the Swale Music Festival in June, and the Taste of Michigan City in August. Additionally, one of May’s personal favorites is the Flame + Flair Halloween Festival, which includes fire dancers and a massive trick-or-treat session.
Being so heavily involved in the community allows May to see the connections between groups, and she loves how it all comes together.
“I've worked with students all across our community and it's exciting for me to see them get excited for Flame + Flair each year,” May said. “I love the Taste of Michigan City because it really has become like a community reunion every year. There are people that I have grown up with and that I have lost track of overtime as we've developed lives of our own, but I see them every year at the Taste and I can count on that.”
She also enjoys the sense of community that comes with being involved with Michigan City Mainstreet Association.
“The Association allows me to stay rooted in a community that I grew up in. I have made so many friends working with the Mainstreet Association. I've developed new skills within myself, but it’s interfering to coordinate these events and put together grant programs for the Uptown Arts District,” May said. “I really love being a part of a team of people working together for a common goal, and Mainstreet Association really feeds that for me.”
In addition to Safe Harbor and Michigan City Mainstreet Association, May is also on the board of directors for United Way of LaPorte County and has previously served on the board for the Human Rights Commission of Michigan City for three years as well.
For more information about the Safe Harbor Virtual Enrichment program, visit its website at mcas.k12.in.us. For more information about Michigan City Mainstreet Association, visit its website at theuptownartsdistrict.com/mcma.